Developer Greg Hatem is opening a second location of The Pit restaurant, Raleigh's popular cloth napkin barbecue restaurant.
The second location will be next door to Durham's Fullsteam Brewery in a former 7Up bottling plant on the corner of Rigsbee and Geer streets. Hatem says he will close today on the purchase of the 30,000-square feet building that also houses Fullsteam, which will become a tenant.
That area of Durham is a popular night spot between Fullsteam, Motorco Music Hall, Geer Street Garden restaurant and bar and all the food trucks that park there nightly.
Hatem says he will convert 10,000 to 12,000 square feet of the unoccupied part of the building into the second Pit location. Hatem says a second story on part of the building will enable them to create a 2,000-square-foot rooftop patio with a view of the city.
Hatem says he hopes the new Pit restaurant will open in about 10 months. He noted that the purchase came with a 1-acre parking lot about two blocks away and another along Geer Street. Plus, there will be space in the building for another tenant, Hatem says.
"It will be our biggest restaurant," Hatem says.
His company also owns The Raleigh Times, The Morning Times, Sitti and Gravy, all in downtown Raleigh.
Comments
Unnecessary
Thu, 08/02/2012 - 16:38 — alexgravesWhat a bummer. So far Durham has fostered its own businesses and brands and now we've got a semi-corporate "chain" heading right into areas we've renovated. The Pit (gas-cooked barbecue for tourists) does great in a gentrified area of Raleigh, but do we really want or need it in the Geer St. area of Durham? And this will do nothing but damage to the pre-existing scene down there, which are food trucks feeding the masses at Fullsteam and Motorco, or folks heading over before a show at Manbites. I'm so disappointed that this has been announced, but I have hopes that Hatem (the Lebanese Giorgio?) blows it before it actually happens.
Of all the areas of Durham to try and turn into Disneyland, why did the clowns over there choose Geer St.?
Not a terrible thing.
Thu, 08/30/2012 - 10:35 — lb27608I have a few reservations about The Pit moving in since I live just short hop up Geer St. from that corner and have loved seeing it come back to life over the past few years, but I don't think it will be a disaster. I'd much rather that building have a functioning restaurant, especially one with a local owner, than continue to sit empty, anyway. There is concern about how it will impact the food trucks, but the 50-foot-from-any-restaurant rule that someone else mentioned has not been adopted yet, so we'll have to see what happens.
I haven't been to the Raleigh location since Ed Mitchell left last year, but the meals I got there before that were really delicious. I don't know much about their cooking method, nor do I really care - all I know is that the chopped pork was good and the brisket was very nicely done, too.
Durham!
Thu, 08/02/2012 - 16:26 — krislovPromise you'll stay out of Durham!
Please?
A change to the neighborhood
Thu, 08/02/2012 - 16:15 — sazerac75The Pit has some tasty BBQ but I kind of hate that it's coming to this specific corner of Durham. I really love the vibe of the Motorco/Fullsteam/Geer St area, but I can't help but think Geer/Rigsbee will change quite a bit into a very busy corner and crowded little area. The food trucks will also have to relocate because of the city ordinance that they not be within 50 feet from a standing restaurant which will change the feel of the neighborhood. No more Kyoku parked in front of Motorco! Congrats to the Pit, I just hope the neighborhood doesn't change too much because of this.
I wouldn't drive to Durham
Thu, 08/02/2012 - 15:53 — sapphire5660I wouldn't drive to Durham for ANY kind of food. There is NOTHING I can't get that I need that bad to go to that armpit..............
Haters gonna hate
Thu, 08/02/2012 - 16:29 — DavidMeyerYou obviously don't get out much if you think there is nothing worthwhile in Durham, especially on the food front.
I encourage you to lead a less sheltered, more fulfilling life.
You haven't been there in a
Thu, 08/02/2012 - 16:07 — sazerac75You haven't been there in a while if that'ss what you think of the neighborhood.
Pretty amazing
Thu, 08/02/2012 - 15:17 — The_Nags_HeadI can remember when going to that part of Durham required a platoon of Marines if you wanted to get out alive. I'm pleased to hear about this revitalization, and hopefully Green's Grill will someday reopen.